Description
This Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad combines tender, golden-brown chicken breasts with al dente pasta and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce. Perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner, this salad offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors with a crisp, colorful texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 2 green onions, sliced
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Prep Vegetables: Dice the bell pepper, grate the carrots, and slice the green onions to prepare the fresh elements of the salad.
- Make Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, fresh grated ginger, and minced garlic to create a flavorful teriyaki dressing.
- Toss Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped chicken, diced bell pepper, grated carrots, and sliced green onions. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Serve or Store: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate to enjoy it cold later. This makes a great make-ahead meal option.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh.
- Use gluten-free pasta and tamari sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Honey can be replaced with maple syrup to keep it vegan-friendly.
- Chilling the salad for an hour before serving enhances the flavors.
- Additional veggies such as snap peas or cucumbers can add extra crunch and freshness.
